Authentic Rovaniemi Excursion – Visit Kotatieva Resort
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Kotatieva Resort – The Best Ice Skating in Rovaniemi
Rovaniemi, the capital of Finnish Lapland, is world renowned for being the ultimate Lapland Christmas destination for its winter wonderland, the home of Santa Claus himself and having access to some of the most unique northern winter experiences available around the world. Popular activities Rovaniemi has on offer include Northern Lights tours, Husky Dog Sledding, Ice Fishing, Reindeer Safari’s, Snowshoeing, going on an Icebreaker, Ice swimming and/or floating, a trip to Santa Claus Village to meet Santa and tube down the slopes at Snowman World.
The excursion that should be added to everyone’s ‘must’ list when visiting Rovaniemi is a trip to Kotatieva Resort, the best ice skating winter park in Lapland. Get yourself rugged up in your warm winter clothes and have some fun at Kotatieva!
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Kotatieva forest ice skating trail
Is a trip to a winter wonderland complete if you haven’t been ice skating? If you’re looking for the most authentic and best ice skating in the world, Kotatieva forest ice skating trail will not disappoint. Ice skating in Finland, with a difference! Both daytime and evening skating opportunities are available at this magnificent outdoor ice skating park. Outdoor ice skating at Kotatieva is truly magical!
Rovaniemi winters are well known for aurora hunting and northern lights tours and Kotatieva offers an evening ice skating experience with the opportunity to watch the sky dance. The ice skating forest path is the most incredible aurora ‘skating rink’ you’ll ever come across!
In the evening, Kotatieva Resort opens up to a very limited number of guests to ice skate through the darkness of the forest (headlamps provided) and private bookings for the sauna, hot tub and dinner in the Lappish Hut experience.
If you want to see how incredible our evening experience was at Kotatieva, check out our video here!
Ice Skating Shoes and Equipment
Ice skating shoes are available on loan included in the cost of your ticket, however, you may also bring your own. Helmets are also available and can be worn while skating at Kotatieva. In addition to ice skating shoes and helmets, Kotatieva also provides skating frames of a variety of heights enabling even the earliest of beginners to make their way around the course. There are ice hockey sticks, pucks and balls as well as kick sleds with seats to assist families with young children to enjoy the trails, as well.
Kotatieva Winter Activities and Facilities
While Kotatieva might be known best for its ice skating trail, at Kotatieva Resort, you can do more than skate on ice! You can sled down the sledding hill, snowshoe through the forest, try your step at Nordic skiing and play the ever popular frisbee golf. Rovaniemi’s favourite winter park has something for everyone! All equipment is available and included in the cost of the entry ticket.
The small café is located in a cabin on site where you can purchase a simple lunch and hot drink. We can recommend you take a break for the outdoors and enjoy a hot chocolate by the indoor (or outdoor) fire – this is a wonderful experience and a great place to go if you need to warm yourself up or take a break! Please note, no food can be brought into the park.
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Your hosts at Kotatieva
Kotatieva Resort offers a unique and authentic experience for their guests. Hosts Inga and Tuomas are locals to the area and have developed the most incredible outdoor winter wonderland activity in arctic Rovaniemi. Their kind and welcoming manner ensure a wonderful time for their guests. When visiting you will find both Inga and Tuomas greeting visitors with a wide smile and working hard, whether that be in the café or tending to the ice to ensure guests have the best experience possible ice skating on ice that is well groomed.
How to get to Kotatieva
When planning and booking Rovaniemi excursions, be sure to add Kotatieva to your list! Included in your ticket is a shuttle bus in and out of Kotatieva. There are pick up/drop off points at Santa Claus Village as well as in the city centre. Alternatively, there is plenty of carparking available as well as the option of an Uber, Bolt or Taxi.
Keep up to date with Kotatieva Resort
Be sure to follow Kotatieva Resort on Facebook and Instagram to ensure you are up to date with all of their news as well as be notified of any changes due to the weather forecast. Rovaniemi weather conditions can in fact impact the ice and sometimes there are notifications with recommendations to change the day of booking to ensure you have the best experience.
Go here to read more about our ultimate Christmas in Rovaniemi!
Erin Parker is a Finnish Lapland specialist, women’s adventure host and founder of Lapland Lowdown & Travel Her Way. She has travelled six continents and brings first-hand experience to every destination she writes about – from the Arctic wilderness of Finnish Lapland to the high Andes of Peru. Based in Melbourne, Australia, Erin helps long-haul travellers plan extraordinary Finnish Lapland adventures and leads small group trips for women who are ready to explore the world boldly.
